John Stang

John Stang is a longtime Pacific Northwest reporter. He is a jack-of-all-trades freelancer with expertise in a variety of topics, including the Hanford nuclear reservation, state government, the environment, science and crime.

Methods tested to speed waste withdrawal from tanks

May 16, 2019

John Stang

Washington River Protection Solutions is considering cuttingnew holes in Hanford’s single-shell tanks — openings that could potentiallyreach up to six feet in diameter. Currently, the holes in the tops of Hanford’s undergroundtanks are very narrow with extremely long pipes connecting the surface with theradioactive sludge and fluids in the tanks. Collapsible...

Washington state bill would give small wineries tax break

March 13, 2019

John Stang

A proposed tax break for smallwineries is working its way through the Washington Legislature. The bill by Sen. Judy Warnick, R-MosesLake, addresses wineries producing 50,000 gallons or less a year — exemptingthem from paying the state wine tax on their first 20,000 gallons. Sen. Judy Warnick“I’m for the little guy,” Warnicksaid.Owners of...

Tri-City business backers oppose governor’s tax, dam removal proposals

January 13, 2019

John Stang

Gov. Jay Inslee’s proposed capital gains tax has dominated the headlines. But his less-ballyhooed proposal to increase business-and-occupation taxes might have a bigger effect on the Tri-Cities, while having a greater impact on the state budget.These two tax proposals, plus a proposed study on removing the four lower Snake River dams,...

Richland bypassed for regional smart manufacturing center

July 17, 2018

John Stang

A proposed facility to develop advanced manufacturing technologies is no longer in the cards for Richland.Richland was removed about six months ago as the site when the Clean Energy Smart Manufacturing Innovation Institute, or CESMII, went through an internal reorganization, said Howard Goldberg, the institute’s vice president for business development.Right...

Regional public utility districts ponder best ways to handle bitcoin growth

July 16, 2018

John Stang

Mining in the Northwest was different in the 1890s.Back then, miners hunted for gold in the streams and mountains of Alaska and the Yukon with picks and shovels. Seattle was a jumping-off point and supply center for gold miners.Today, central Washington, upstream of the Tri-Cities, has become the focus of...

NuScale Power’s small reactor project gains traction

July 16, 2018

John Stang

A first-of-its-kind reactor complex in Idaho Falls will be operated by Energy Northwest — probably in the middle of the next decade.In late spring, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission finished the initial phase of reviewing the first small modular reactor design to be submitted to the agency.This design application for...

Kennewick company fined $5,000 for housing discrimination against veteran

March 14, 2018

John Stang

Celski & Associates said incident stems from misunderstanding of an acronymA Kennewick property management firm was one of eight state corporations recently hit with allegation of illegal housing discrimination against veterans by the Washington Attorney General’s Office.However, Jason Celski, owner of Celski & Associates, said the incident stems from an employee at an apartment complex not understanding an acronym when asked whether a prospective tenant could use Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing, or VASH, vouchers.VASH...

B&O tax relief plan for manufacturers fails

March 14, 2018

John Stang

Maybe the second time will be the charm.A bill that would have provided tax relief to Franklin County manufacturers died during the last week of the 2018 legislative session. Now, Mid-Columbia legislators — all Republicans — will have a chance to persuade Democratic legislators have modify the bill next year to...

Lawmakers tackle several women’s health issues related to insurance coverage

March 14, 2018

John Stang

Bills would require employers to pay for abortions, contraceptivesThe debate took four years to hit the Washington Senate floor in early February.The topic was a bill by Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, to require an employer that provides health insurance to include contraceptive and abortion coverage at no extra cost...

Legislators reach compromise on controversial water rights bill

February 14, 2018

John Stang

Hirst decision agreement gets several construction projects back on trackA number of stalled Mid-Columbia construction projects are now shifting into gear since the Washington Legislature reached a compromise on a controversial water rights bill.The irony is despite the rural nature of the well-digging conflict, the compromise does not really affect...